Normans Dam dam
Normans Dam
Normans Dam, located in King and Queen County, Virginia, is a privately owned earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam, situated on the Tastine Swamp, has a height of 16 feet and a storage capacity of 275 acre-feet. While the exact year of completion is not provided, the dam is state-regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring that it meets all necessary inspection and enforcement requirements.
Despite being categorized as having an undetermined hazard potential and being conditionally assessed as "Not Rated," Normans Dam remains a significant feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a lack of specific data on the dam's length, volume, and other structural details, there is an air of mystery surrounding this recreational structure. As it falls within the Norfolk District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam's management and oversight are subject to federal guidelines and regulations.
While Normans Dam may not have a detailed risk assessment or emergency action plan readily available, its presence as a recreation-focused earth dam in the heart of Virginia's natural landscape offers a unique opportunity for exploration and appreciation of water resources in the region. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, dams like Normans play a crucial role in managing and preserving these vital resources for future generations to enjoy.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Normans Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Swamp At Mascot | 14 cfs | → |
| Piscataway Creek Near Tappahannock | 14 cfs | → |
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 27 cfs | → |
| Totopotomoy Creek Near Studley | 6 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Beulahville | 69 cfs | → |
| Pamunkey River Near Hanover | 136 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Normans Dam.
Boat launches
- Waterfence Road 1504, King And Queen County
- Melrose Landing 1202, King And Queen County
- Glass Island Road West Point
- Sunset Pointe Marina
- White's Landing Road Gordon Landing
- Walkerton Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Belle Isle State Park
- Ed Allen's
- Hammock Camp
- Chickahominy Riverfront Park
- Kings Creek - Cheatham Annex Military
Fishing spots
Track Normans Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Normans Dam
Where does the data for Normans Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Undetermined hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Normans Dam.